'Miss Annie, you have a visitor,' a maid peered into the room.

This is probably Archie!

The parents were not at home, but Miss Brighton was still dressed like for a greeting. Because her light-headed sweetheart could come in any minute!

Opening the door, the girl was surprised to see that it was not Archie had come to her. Self-confident pose, arrogant face, eyebrows shifted to the bridge of the nose … Neil Legan!

'Hi.' he threw, a little straightened in the chair, but still sitting in quite cheeky manner.

'Hi.' Annie answered quietly, feeling that the heart has shrunk from flutter. She was afraid of this man. What does he need?!

'Come closer, why are you standing there,' Neil gave an order. 'I want to talk to you.'

Miss Brighton approached gingerly and sat on the opposite chair, looking at the visitor as at a wild animal. She rarely stayed alone with this man, and every time she felt jittery because of his expressions and tricks.

He always could easily say something disgusting. Always laughed at her and Candy's origin. And even that he gave her advice on how to make Archie jealous … No, being alone with him was just awful.

'I want to ask,' Neil began to speak, 'what the hell don't you make it up with Candy?'

Annie blinked several times before realizing that he had used the abusive word.

'Of course, I understand everything,' Legan continued. 'She offended you and all that. But, maybe, you need to be merciful and meet her halfway? She soon has a wedding, she worries. After all, you're friends, you grew up together in the Pony House. So what now? Is she has to be hung on the nearest bough like a criminal, because of her words?'

'But I… I…' Miss Brighton murmured, feeling that she was going to cry.

'I have already realized that it's useless to talk to my cousin, he persists for no reason. And wrote something to Albert … But can you be smarter? Why did not you meet with her? Don't you really care about her?'

'But no, I just…' Annie felt tears flowing down her cheeks. 'I just did not think that she was so upset … And I really…'

'Do not approve of her choice?' Neil finished for her and stood up.

How irritating these glasshouse girls are, these indoor flowers! These tears for any reason … He did not say anything like that, and she already made a scene.

Legan walked around the room, hoping that Annie would stop crying, and, when the sobs subsided, he said as gently as possible.

'Annie, just talk to Candy. She is really upset.'

The Lord is a witness - he behaves like a saint!

Miss Brighton wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

'Why do you need it? This performance. Candy had already agreed to marry you. I do not know what you did with her …'

It turns out that she is a damned wretch. Neal sighed.

'So will you meet with Candy or not? And anyway, what the hell do you think that I had to «do» something, as you've just said, with a woman to accept my proposal?!' He exploded. 'Most of the familiar girls from very decent families would like to see me as their husband voluntarily!'

'Yes, it's true, but you always scoffed at her.'

'It was in childhood and early adolescence. In the end, we are already adults. Or are you, for example, still sleeping with a night light next to your bed?'

'Sometimes yes.'

The man shrugged his shoulders and sat in the armchair.

'It's only your feature. So will you meet with Candy or not, I ask one more time?'

'I will,' Annie hardly found the courage to look in the face of this man.

'Great,' he stood up. 'Yes, there is another thing. Let this our conversation remain a little secret for Candy.'

'But…'

'Be quiet, understand? Pretend that this is your own idea. Good luck.'

Miss Brighton looked at the closed door for a few seconds. What does he need? Why does he ask to make peace with Candy? He obviously plots something.

Annie really wanted to meet with her friend and talk to her, but delaying this. And it was doubly unpleasant that this type practically makes her make peace with Candy. But now she could not delay meeting with her, because she knew that then this terrible Neil would come to her again and start screaming and threatening …

Still strange. What did Candy find in him? And he? Why would he need Candy? But marriage… It's not just a trap or a trick. He risks his fate too… Unclear…